For five consecutive years, Gainesville High School has been identified by U.S. News and World Report as one of "America's Best High Schools."  The magazine worked with the American Institutes of Research to determine the rankings.      

"It's nice to once again be recognized as one of the top schools in the state and nation," said new Gainesville R-V Superintendent Joe Donley. Former Superindendent Bill Looney attributed the school's continued success to several factors. "We have a committed faculty with high expectations for our students, and we have supportive parents and community members. We also spend a lot of time analyzing data from previous years to identify our strengths and weaknesses so we know where we need to make improvements."

Data from 21,776 public high schools in 49 states and the District of Columbia was analyzed. Of those schools, 4,877 were recognized as being the country's best. Missouri had 142 high schools recognized.  

U.S. News first evaluated how each school's students were performing on state-mandated tests in math and communication arts compared to their state's average scores in those areas.  It then evaluated how each school's disadvantaged students performed compared to the state average for similar students. Graduation rates and college matriculation rates were also analyzed. GHS's performance on these two criteria earned it "bronze medal" status. Click here to read the full article.   

"Quality Learning Today for Tomorrow"

We will commit our financial, educational, and personnel resources to equip all students with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop to their fullest potential as self-motivated, life-long learners.

The Gainesville R-V School District is "fully accredited" and has A+ designation. Our campus is approximately 1.5 miles east of Gainesville in southwest Missouri between highways 160 and 181. 

The 61-acre campus includes the high school built in 1962, the junior high wing added in 1971, and the new elementary school completed in 1995.  The school district covers 339 square miles and serves several rural communities including Thornfield, Wasola, Tecumseh, and Pontiac. 

Board of Education Policy Manual  

Curriculum Director

School History

GHS Graduates  

Graduate Composite Pictures     

Gainesville can't be considered for a gold or silver medal because schools were evaluated on the number of seniors who took "Advanced Placement" courses and how they performed on the AP tests. Gainesville currently does not offer AP courses, opting instead to provide several dual enrollment courses so that its juniors and seniors can earn up to 13 college credits while still in high school.

Congratulations Gainesville High School!